Russian steel, aluminum imports now banned in Canada as part of sanctions regime – National | 24CA News
Canada is banning the import of Russian metal and aluminum as a part of its sanctions regime, as Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly raises the opportunity of regime change in Moscow.
Joly made the remarks at a Friday press convention the place she mentioned the significance of sustaining a diplomatic presence in Moscow.
“We’re able to see how much we’re isolating the Russian regime right now _ because we need to do so economically, politically and diplomatically _ and what are the impacts also on society, and how much we’re seeing potential regime change in Russia,” she mentioned.
The Liberals have pushed for regime change in Iran, however Joly has not beforehand mentioned the identical about Russia. She mentioned regime change is certainly the purpose of sanctions and pursuing accountability for alleged struggle crimes.
“The goal is definitely to do that, is to weaken Russia’s ability to launch very difficult attacks against Ukraine. We want also to make sure that Putin and his enablers are held to account,” she mentioned.
“I always make a difference between the regime and the people of a given country, which is fundamental.”
Also Friday, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland introduced a ban on imports of metal and aluminum, which she mentioned will assist undermine Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Figures fromthe Department of Industry present that Canada imported $208 million in metal merchandise from Russia in 2021 and $79 million final 12 months.
Canada additionally imported $44 million in aluminum from Russia in 2021 and one other $16 million final 12 months.
Russia’s commerce with Canada plummeted over the primary 10 months after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine a 12 months in the past, with a 78 per cent per cent drop in exports from the identical interval one 12 months prior.
Ottawa’s financial measures already bar the export of all the things from forklifts to barbers’ chairs, until Canadian companies persuade the Liberal cupboard to problem exemptions.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
